Po co literatura jeszcze jest? : pisma rozproszone

Abstract

The book Po co literatura jeszcze jest? contains dispersed texts written by Stefan Szymutko, a professor who died a few years ago, and was one of the most outstanding Silesian philologists. The volume in question consists of a few big parts, the subject-matter of which is adjusted to the main research interests the scientist from Katowice had on the one hand, (Szymutko in his writings was extremely consistent), and shows the author of Zrozumieć Parnickiego from a less obvious perspective on the other hand. Hence, the reader will find here both sketches and articles devoted to works by Teodor Parnicki (in the initial part Parnicki for ever), a thick theoretical block (a pretext to write the articles included here was an in-depth reading of works by Janusz Sławiński), a few surprising texts devoted to poetry (but also poems by Szymutko!), and, finally, two essays being a supplement to, but also a harbinger of the continuation of a popular Nagrobek Ciotki Cili. The whole book is complemented by the press interviews and excerpts from debates Szymutko participated in many times. A topical richness corresponds with a different significance and genre load of particular texts (one can find here, like in Zrozumieć Parnickiego) “murderous microphysical analyses”, but also popularizing speeches that do not require any particular receptive competences), and, finally, their distinguishing mark remains various genological affiliation (an interpretative sketch, essay, paper, interview, debate). Professor Jacek Łukasiewicz at the end of a strongly enthusiastic publishing review recommended the very book for publication in the following way: “The publication of a dispersed selection of works by Stefan Szymutko seems to be an extremely important and useful enterprise. […] The book that was composed is wise, and interesting, though difficult when reading because it deals with complex problems. What was composed is a suggestive self-portrait of a writer and scientist that died being fully creative, having done a lot, but not having used his full potential. Stefan Szymutko revives here attracting his colleagues and students, influencing them with his zeal of thinking, thoroughness, faith in his beliefs and topics, and conscientiousness yet petulant and changeable from time to time.”